Dominion (Book 1 of The Dominion Series) Read Online Free PDF Page A

never felt it before?"
    "This connection is unique between vampires and Adepts. It's touch telepathy. All vampires have it, but it's one way. We use it to read our prey's minds, to control your brain chemicals, make you struggle less when we feed. We use it to make you obey and forget things – or at least, most of you. For some reason, you're immune to compulsion and having your memory erased."
    "My mother never told me about any psychic abilities."
    "She didn't want this life for you," he says as we drive off once the light changes. "She and your father wanted you in the arts. Dance or music."
    "You knew my mother?"
    "Only through Julien." We drive on in silence for a moment, and he's frowning as if in thought. Finally, he turns to me.
    "Eve, Adepts were meant to be trained from an early age. Your parents wanted to train you as a musician or dancer instead, which I'm sure violated the terms of their contract."
    "Contract?"
    He turns and glances at me, frowning.
    "One thing at a time. Let's get you home and get your hands fixed. Now, please, no more questions. I have to think things through."
    Well, pardon me .
    I want to ask what he means about my parent's contract and what things he has to think through but I keep quiet, watching the scenery pass by. I do see well at night and when I glance at him in the darkened car interior, I can see him as if it was the middle of a cloudy day, his skin gray like in a black and white image. I was always a fast runner but my parents said no to track because I had to dance and practice piano instead. They finally took me out of regular school in fourth grade and homeschooled me, giving me dance and music lessons and hiring private tutors.
    We drive up to my apartment building.
    "How did you know where I live?"
    He looks at me and taps his temple.
    "Think of using telepathy as a short-cut. We don't always have to use words. Neurons and neurochemicals are so much faster. And, of course, if you were my blood slave, we could even communicate at a distance."
    Blood slave ? Oh, that doesn't sound good.
    "What's a blood slave? Do you mean telepathy at a distance?"
    "Yes," he says. "There'd be no need to touch. Blood slaves are addicted to vampire blood. Vampire blood causes high levels of neurotransmitters to circulate in your brain and gives a heroin-like high. People try to steal it, sell it on the black market because of its drug-like effects and temporary healing properties. If you drink too much, you get addicted, like any other drug. Whatever you do, don't ever let a vampire feed you his blood in large quantity." Then he turns to me and smiles that lopsided smile. "Unless the idea of being a slave appeals to you, that is… And, if I read you correctly, it does."
    I make a face at him and turn away. So he can just touch me and find out things? Personal things, private things? And until I figure out how to block him, he can do it at will. All he has to do is touch me skin on skin.
    Maybe it's great for sex – and that thought makes me squirm in my seat, remembering his kiss – but a person needs privacy in her own mind.
    He opens my door after we park on the street and stands too close to me, like he enjoys making me feel uncomfortable. I sidle by him and start up the stairs to my building, opening the door. He follows me in and I stop and frown.
    "How can you come in? I haven't invited you."
    "I've been in Boston for a long time, Eve. I've been invited in this building before."
    He follows me up the stairs to the third floor where my apartment is but I stop at the door, my key in hand.
    "Here," he says and reaches for my keys. "Let me."
    "I don't think so," I say. "This is where you leave."
    " I don't think so," he says.
    "You're not coming into my apartment."
    "I am. Let's go, Eve. I need to fix your palms and we need to talk."
    I stand my ground. He's not coming in.
    "I can fix my own palms, thanks. You can send me an email and tell me whatever it is you think I need to know. I'm not